IRI identifies 20 most corrupt IAS officers in UP

The IAS Action Group is at it again. After creating ripples in the bureaucratic circle nearly a decade ago by identifying “three most corrupt” IAS officers, the group in its new incarnation — India Rejuvenation Initiative (IRI), headed by former Chief Justice of India RC Lahoti, has identified 20 most corrupt IAS officers in the state.

The IRI has now decided to take the issue to the national level. Welcoming the recent decision of the Supreme Court quashing clause of the government permission for the prosecution of the officers, the IRI coordinator and Principal Secretary (National Integration) VS Pandey told Hindustan Times on Wednesday that the exercise for the identification of corrupt officers had been undertaken in all the states.

Interestingly, the list of “most corrupt” in UP has enlarged from three in 1996 to 20 in 2006. The state list is ready for release. Some high profile IAS officers, who hogged the limelight during the last few years, had been included in the list. The IRI has decided to probe into their assets. Pandey said the IRI, which is a group of serving and retired bureaucrats and judges, has decided to intensify the campaign against corruption. Pandey said the group would pressurise the government to deny prime position in administration to these corrupt officers.

It may be recalled that ten years ago on December 14, 1996, the UP IAS association had voted for the “three most corrupt”, which had generated major controversy in government circle. Later Pandey broke away from the association to carry on the anti-corruption crusade under the banner of Action Group.

However, now the IRI has taken shape at the national level for the same cause. It is learnt that moves are also afoot at the Centre to take away the power of the state government to suspend IAS and IPS officers. There is a feeling in the IRI that state government has been misusing the power to browbeat the officers for political purpose.